Bridge



(No Model.)

FIE-.1

R. A. SAWYIER.

BRIDGE.

4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Patented Apr. 24, 1888.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

R. A. SAWYIER.

BRIDGE! No. 381,584. Patented Apr. 24, 1888.

:i \I, W W \IVITNEjjEj MB. 5W1 QQm (No Model. 4 SheetsShet 3.

R. A. SAWYIER.

' BRIDGE.

N0. 881,584. 7 Patented Apr. 24, 1888.

(No Model.) r 4 SheetsSheet 4.

R. A. SAWYIER.

BRIDGE.

No 381,584. Patented Apr. 24, 1888.

nrren Srarns REUBEN A. S.-'YWYIER,

Parent Oriana.

OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

BRIDGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part. of Letters Patent No. 381,584, dated April24, 1888.

Application filed January 28, 1888. Serial No. 262,288. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it Hwy concern:

Be it known that I, REUBEN. A. SAWYIER, a citizen of the United States,residing at G0- lunibus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio,have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Bridges, of whichthe following is aspeciticat-ion.

My invention relates to the improvement of swinging bridges, and hasparticular relation to that class of bridges made to span canals.

The objects of my invention are to provide a simple, durable, andreliable bridge of this class adapted to be automatically opened andclosed by contact therewith of a moving boat, to combine therewith meansfor automatically latching and unlatching the bridge from its connectionwith the abutment-wall, and to provide mechanism for operating saidbridge by hand from the floor. These objects I ac complish in the mannerillustrated intheaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a verticallongitudinal section of the bridge. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the upperportion of the framework of the bridge with the floor removed. Fig. 3 isa side elevation of the bridge. Fig. 4 is a transverse section of thebridge, taken on line :0 w of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail view of themeans of strengthening the j oints of the segmental track. Fig. 6 is asection taken on line y of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of thelatch box, showing the box partiallybrokcn away. Fig. 8 is a plan viewof the same. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the latchbox top plate. Fig.10 is an enlarged transverse section taken on line .2 z of Fig. 8. Fig.11 is a side elevation, in detail, of the latch-rod-operatinglever. Fig.12is apcrspective view,in detail,ofa portion of the device for operatingthe latch-rod by hand, showing beneath it a view ofthe operating-key.Fig. 13 is a sectional view of one of the bridge wheels and its axle,and Fig. 14is a transverse section of the latch-bar taken on line a a ofFig. 1.

Similar-letters refer to similarparts throughout the several views.

A represents a vertical pivot pin or shaft, the lower end of which isloosely seated in a corrcspondinglyshaped socket formed in theupwardly-extending central portion, b, of a metallic bedplate, B, thelatter being firmly secured in any desirable manner to a pier orsuitable foundation made to project from the bed of the stream, asshown.

0 represents the door of the bridge, the general frame-work of thelatterbeing constructed in any suitable or well-known manner, with theexception of certain parts herei nafter specifled.

The upper end of the pivotpin A extends to within a short distance ofthe floor of the bridge and enters a socket formed on the under side ofa bearing cap, a. lhe general form of the latter is square, although,for reasons hereinafter stated, its sides are formed slightly convex, asshown. This cap is located immediately beneath the floor C of the bridgeat the center of its width, but for canal use is preferably located onone side of the center of the length of the bridge, as illus trated, toallow sufficient room between one of the abutments and thesupporting-pier to admit of the passage of a boat therethrough.

The weight of the bridge is carried directly to the top of the pivotcapa bymeans of one or more truss-rods, D, which, extending transverselybeneath the floor of the bridge, have their central portions bearing insuitable grooves formed in the upper side of the cap, and, extendingdiagonally outward and downward, have their respective lower endsextending through the lower portion of the side girders, cl, of thebridge. The ends'of the trusses are screwthreaded, and are adjustablyheld in this position by means of nuts (1, screwed thereon and made tobear against the outer sidesof the girders (Z. A boxgirder formed byplates E, extending transversely across the bridge, is made to bear onopposite sides of the cap a. The sides of the cap at right angles withthe plates E are made to bear against U shaped plates 6, the flanges ofwhich are secured to the inner sides of the box-girder plates, as shown,thus forming in connection with said box-girder an elongated verticalbox, e, the upper portion of which embraces the cap a.

F represents a square metallic collar having a central hole, throughwhich passes loosely the pivot-pin A. This collar is adjustably heldwithin the box 6 at a point below the cap a; by means of set-screws f,the latter passing through screw-threaded holes formed in the four sidesof the box, and having their inner ends bearing in horizontal groovesformed in the sides of the collar.

The bed-plate B is formed with suitable strengthening webs or ribs, andhas formed on its outer ed gea half-circular upwardly-extending wall, G,to the upper side of which is bolted or otherwise secured ahalf-circular metallic rim, which is made angular, as shown, by havingformed on its upperside an upwardlyprojecting flange or ridge, 9.Extending between two crosspieces, 9, of the bridge framework, near oneend thereof, are two horizontal metallic tubes, H, preferably formedof'ordlnary gas-piping having flanged ends bolted or otherwise securedto the inner sides of said cross-pieces. Small holes are formed in eachof the cross-pieces opposite the open ends of the tubes H, those intheinner cross-piece being somewhat smaller than the hollow of thetubes. Through each of these tubes is made to extend a rod, h, the frontend of which is provided with an enlarged follower, while its rear orinner end extends a short distance through the corresponding hole of theinner cross piece, and is provided with a nut adapted to bear when thespring is at rest against the rear side of the said inner crosspiece.Coiled about each of these rods is a coiled spring, h, which ispreferably formed in sections, but may be formed of one piece of springmetal. The rear ends of the rods k are respectively connected with theends of the metallic rim 9, the latter being in line with said rod ends,by means of suitable cables or chains, h

I represents a circular metallic track made to surround thebed-plate,and having a down- Wardly-extending flange, i, on its outerside, said flange being bolted to the outer side of a semicirculartrack-plate, i, the lower side of which is secured in any suitablemanner to the pier. A portion of theinner side of the track I isthickened,as shown,sai d thickened portion having cog-teeth formedtherein, for the purpose hereinafter described. As shown in detail inFig. 5 of the drawings, for convenience in making, I form this track intwo or more sections, bolting each section, as above described, to theplate 2'. The joints thus formed are strengthened, as shown in Fig. 5,by bolting a bar, i curved to conform to the curve of the track andplate, to the inner side of the plate in such manner as to cover thepoint in the plate opposite the joint of the track-rail flange, theconnecting-bolts passing through the plate 77, and hence through thesections so joined.

Mounted on axlesj, extending between suitable bearings made to extenddownward from the lower frame-work of the bridge at desired intervals,are wheels J, the latter adapted to rest and be made to travel upon thetrack I.

For convenience in oiling, these axles are of peculiar construction,each being formed hollow and having an oil receiving hole, j,

formed on its upper side, said holebeing pro-' vided with a suitableremovable stopper.

Formed about the central or wheel-bearing portion of the axle are anumber of small perforations, j through which the oil is allowed toescape to the bearing-surface of the wheel.

K represents the upright posts of the bridge side railing, each of whichis bolted, as shown, to the side girders, while additional security ofconnection is formed by having the flanges of said girders resting ingrooves formed in the faces of metallic disks it, each of the latterhaving formed on its opposite side a dowel pin driven into the post K,as shown, partly in elevation and partly in dotted lines in Figs. 4 and6 of the drawings.

Each side of that portion of the bridge spanning the channel of thestream is provided near its lower side with an elongated bumping-arm, L,having pivoted in its outer end a friction-roller, m. Each of'the arms Lis held parallel with and a short distance from the side of the bridgeby means of rods Z Z, rigidly secured to the bumper, which, extendinginward,pass loosely through holes formed in the side of the bridge and aconveniently-located beam of the frame-work. About each of these rods,bearing between the bumper and bridge side girders, is coiled a spring,m. The central rod, Z, of each bumperis of greater length than the rodsLand extends inwardly to a point a short distance from the center of thewidth of the bridge,where,passing between two parallel arms, 12,projecting outwardly from a plate, N, secured to the side of across-girder, M, it bears against one arm of a bellcrank lever, 0, thelatter being pivoted between the outer ends of the arms n, as shown indetail in Fig. 11 of the drawings. The remaining arm of the lever 0extends in the direction of the length of the rod Z until at the centerof the width of the bridge, and has its ends provided with a slot.

0 represents a horizontal latchoperating rod passing through suitablebearing-holes formed in the center of the length of the crossgirders inthat portion of the bridge spanning the channel of the stream. The outerportion of this rod 0 passes through and is secured to" a verticallatch-bar, o, the upper end of which is hinged to a plate, 0, bolted tothe upper side of the end cross-girder, 0*. From the latch-bar 0 the rod0 is continued through a hole formed in said end girder, and, having anut on its end,carries a coiled spring, 1?, bearing between said girderand nut, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. To the under side of thegirder 0 is bolted an outwardly-projecting plate, 1), having anelongated slot therein, through which extends the lower portionof thependent latch-bar 0. The rear end of the rod 0 is rigidly secured to theend of the down wardly-extending arm of a bell-crank lever, Q, thelatter being pivoted at its angle in suitable bearings, q, dependingfrom the floor of the bridge. The upper arm of the .lever Q extendsbeneath the floor in the direction of IOU the length of the rod 0, andhas its outer flattened end slotted, as shown in Fig. 12 of thedrawings.

q represents a vertical shaft supported and adapted to be revolved insuitable bearings formed in the framework of the bridge. The upperportion of this shaft is quadrilateral in form and is made to projectupwardly through the slot of the lever Q, while its lower end carries apinion wheel gearing with the teeth of V the circular track I.

13- represents an oblong metallic box having its base secured in anoffset preferably formed in the abutment-wall on the channel side of thestream. This box, which is open on its upper side, is, with theexception of a central recess, 1', and central horizontal slots, r,leading from said recess to the ends of the box, formed solid. Fittingwithin said recess is a coiled spring, r

S represents a metallic top plate adapted to fit over the open top ofthe box R, and having formed on its under side, at the center of itswidth, lugs 5, extending inward from the respective ends of the plateand terminating at equidistautpoints from the center oft-he length ofthe plate. The distance between these lugs s, which are adapted to slidewithin the slots "I'F of the box, is equivalent to the length of thebox-recess r.

The plate S is provided on each side of each of the lugs s with anelongated slot, 8. Extending upwardly on each side of each of thebox-slots r from the solid portions of the box, to which it is screwedor otherwise secured,is a metallic pin, .9 said each pair of pins beingrigidly secured at their upper ends to a metallic plate, 8, above thetop plate, S, said plate 8" being adapted to cover the slots 8'.

The front side of the box R, adjoining the upper edge thereof, isprovided on each side of the center of its length with anoutwardlyprojecting lug, I, said lugs curving outwardly away from saidcenter, and thence inwardly again to meet the front surface of the box,as shown. The front edge of the top plate slightly overlaps the frontupper edge of the box, and is provided with a notch, c, at the center ofits length, in which normally rests the latch-bar In order to supply thepivot-pin A with oil, an oil-can, W, is supported beneath the floor ofthe bridge, having an outlet-spout, to, running to the cap a, where itcommunicates with a hole, w, in said cap,-said hole extending inward toa point above the top of the pivot-,-

where it communicates with the socket of the cap and pivot-top, asshown.

The operation of my improved bridge is as follows: A boat moving ineither direction in the channel of the stream comes into contact withone of the bumpers L, the springs m connection with the iatchrod 0, toforce said latch-rod inward sufficiently to withdraw the latchbar o fromthe notch v in the box top plate. This operation, as will be seen, willserve to uulatch the bridge from its connection with the abutment. Thebridge being thus unlatched, it will be seen that the pressu re of theboat will operate to cause the bridge to revolve on its pivot A, theboat bearing easily against frictiouroller m. This partial revolution ofthe bridge will cause one of the springs h to be compressed within itstube, which in turn will cause its cable 72. to wind against the angleof the segmental rim 9. The bridge having been revolved sufficiently toadmit of the passage of the boat,it will be seen that the tension of thecompressed spring h will operate to draw the bridge to its normalposition. The latchbar 0' having cleared the latch-box, the spring I?will draw the latchbar back to its vertical position. The return of thebridge will cause said lntchloar to bear against the front edge of thetop plate until it drops into the notch "u therein, the forcible contacttherewith causing said top plate to move horizontally on the box untilthe latchbar comes into contact with the curved edge of the lug i, and,following said edge outward, is released from contactwith the top plateand allowed to swing until the tension of one of the springs h issufficient to overcome the force of the bridge, when the latter will bereturned until the latch-bar again drops into its notch. The force ofcontact between the bridge latch-box top plate may, however, not besufficient to prevent the tension of the spring a, which will becompressed by the pressure of one of the lugs s from retaining thelatch-bar in its place in the notch n. The plate S is prevented frombeing elevated from its position, on the box by means of the pins 8 andplates 8, the'latter also serving as a cover for the slots in the topplate, S.

The uneven balance of the bridge produced by pivoting the bridge on oneside of its con ter is obviated by weighting the lighter end of thebridge in any suitable manner. An aecurate adjustment of the pivot-pinis readily had through the collar F by turning one or more of theset-screws f. It is obvious that the greater portion of the weight ofthebridge is upon the pin A, and that the track-rollers serve more as ameans of balancing the bridge than as a support. A further adjustment ofthe bridge may be had by tightening the trussrod nuts, operating toslightly elevate the bridge.

In case it is desired to open the bridge by hand from the bridge-floor akey,U, (prefer ably such as is shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings) isfirst fitted over the head of the shaft q, allowing it to rest upon theslotted arm of the lever Q. By pressure upon this key said upperlever-arm is depressed, causing the lower arm to swing toward the pivot,thus operating, through the rod 0, to withdraw the latchbar o from thenotch 12. The shaft q may then be revolved by turning the key U, causingthe bridge, through the pinion and its engagement with the. teeth of thesegmental track I, to be turned. The sides of the pivotcap a areslightly convex to admit of its easy adjustment within the box c.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a swinging bridge, the combination, with the pier and framework ofa bridge, the latter having adjustable truss-rods D, of the verticalpivot-pin A, supported loosely in a socket of the bed-plate B and havingcap a, said bed-plate supporting a segmental angular rim, 9, theinclosed springs h, supported by the frame-work, and spring-rodsh,connected, as described, with the ends of the rim 9, substantially asand for the purposespecified.

2. In a swinging bridge, the combination, with the pier and framework ofabridge, the latter having adjustable truss-rods D, and pivot-boxe',having set-screws f,of the vertical pivot-pin A, having collar F,supported in a socket of the bed-plate B and having cap a, saidbed-plate supporting a segmental rim, 9, inclosed spring h, supported inthe framework, and spring-rods h, connected with the ends of rim 9 bycables h substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. The combination of the bridge framework having trussrods D, thepivot-pin A, having cap a, said pin pivoted, as described, Within blockB, the latter. supporting a segmental rim, g, inclosed spiral springs h,springrods h, connected, as described, with the ends of the rim with thecircular track I, supported by the pier, and track-wheels J, pivotedbeneath the frame-work of the bridge, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

4. In aswingingbridge,pivoted as described, the combination of theframe-work, the bumpers L, having rollers m, said bumpers supported atthe sides of the bridge by springcompress the spring 1, substantially asand for the purpose specified.

5. In a latch for swinging bridges, the combination, with the box R,having central recess, 1*, slots 1", coiled springs r, and pins 8projecting from-either side of said slots 1'', of the top plate, S,having slots, lugss, and notch '0, and slot-covering plates 8,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. In a mechanism for operatingaswinging bridge, the combination,withthe bridge framework, the pier, a segmental rack supported on said pier,a vertical shaft, q, having its upper end opposite an opening in thebridge-floor, and carrying on its lower end a pinion-wheel engaging withthe teeth of said rack, of a bellcrank lever, Q, pivoted beneath thefloor of said bridge, having its upper arm slotted to receive the upperend ofshaft q, a spring-actuated latch-operating rod, 0,carryinglatch-bar 0, and having its rear end secured to thelower arm ofsaid lever Q, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

7. A track for swinging bridges, consisting of a circular plate, 2',having bolted thereto in sections a track, I, and strengthening-bars ibolted to said plate opposite the joints of said track-segments,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

REUBEN A. SAWYIER.

In presence of- O. W. ALLIsoN, IRA KOEHNE.

